The short explanation
Yes, this is common. While breastfeeding, oestrogen levels are lower, which makes the vaginal tissues thinner and less lubricated. Many breastfeeding women notice dryness, soreness or burning during sex. It usually improves after breastfeeding becomes less frequent or stops. Things that often help include using a water-based or silicone-based lubricant during sex, a vaginal moisturiser used regularly, spending more time on foreplay, and avoiding soaps or scented products on the vaginal area. If these are not enough, a clinician may suggest a low-strength vaginal oestrogen treatment, which is often considered suitable while breastfeeding.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Tiredness, stress and healing from childbirth can also affect comfort and desire. Be patient with yourself.
- If you had stitches, ongoing pain at the scar is worth mentioning, as it can be treated.
- Discuss contraception if you are having sex, as pregnancy is possible even before periods return.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether dryness is the only cause of your discomfort. A doctor can examine you if pain continues.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Is my dryness due to breastfeeding?
- Which lubricants or moisturisers are suitable for me?
- Is vaginal oestrogen safe while breastfeeding?
- Could my stitches be causing pain?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days if you have bleeding, discharge, or pain at your stitch site.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine appointment if dryness and soreness continue despite lubricants.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Vaginal dryness NHS
- Vaginismus NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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